The move is driven by Bhutan’s desire to enhance digital and cross-border payments. By Staff Reporter The Royal Monetary Authority (RMA) has partnered with Ripple to use its infrastructure to pilot a central bank digital currency. According to an announcement from Ripple, the move is set to expand the country’s financial inclusion efforts and extend its commitment to sustainability as it aims to become …

However, if the allegations labeled against him are found untrue, the Director could counter-charge the accuser for defamation By Tashi Namgyal/Thimphu The Director accused of sexual harassment of a female employee under Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC) has been suspended by the company after the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company issued a suspension order late last Friday. According to …

However, queries surface as to whether the government and the prime minister is in murky waters following dissent in their own camps. By Rinchen Dorji The appointment of a new minister in the Druk Nyamrup cabinet last week has stirred a huge debacle among the DNT party honchos, whereby some senior party-members had even gone to the extent of questioning …

The ECB study also reveals that Druk Phuensum Tshogpa still boasts of the largest number of supporters in the country By Tashi Namgyal/Thimphu The Druk Phuensum Tshogpa (DPT) has the highest number of registered members among all the political parties in the country. According to a recently released list from the Election Commission of Bhutan (ECB), DPT had 5,267 members, …

Over 60% of minor rape victims were known to the perpetrators while 16% of the victims were related by consanguinity By Chimi Wangmo Bhutan is considered one of the safest and happiest communities in the world, however, the recent spate of crime against minors, especially young girls who had fallen prey to sexual predators, has shaken the conscience of the …

Prioritized expenditures in both Dzongkhags and Gewogs on agriculture and livestock sectors By Tashi Namgyal/Thimphu Against the capital outlay of Nu.50,000 million for the 12th Plan, an expenditure of Nu. 16,810.95 (33.62%) million was reported as of this year for the Local Governments (LGs). Gasa Dzongkhag reported the highest expenditure with 78.57% and Samdrup Jongkhar has the lowest expenditure with …

On average, a Bhutanese cigarette smoker smoked 111 cigarettes per month and spent an average of Nu 1,416 a month BY Chimi Wangmo The prevalence of use of any tobacco product Bhutan was 23.9% (32.9% for men, 11.8% for women), as per WHO’s STEP survey released recently. WHO also states that amongst the current tobacco users, 10.6% used smoked tobacco, …

The report also reveals that eastern region had the highest prevalence of current alcohol consumption By Tandin Wangchuk The Non-communicable Disease Risk Factors: Bhutan STEPS Survey Report, 2019 throws some interesting facets to alcohol production and use in the country. It reveals that in Bhutan, NCDs are estimated to account for 69.0% of all deaths in 2016. Four main groups …

Observers say the appointment of Lyonpo Karma Dorji into a key government position would garnerpolitical milestones for DNT in a constituency once considered DPT’s fort By Rinchen Dorji The appointment of Karma Dorji as the new labour and human resources minister by the government could, subtly, herald the end of Druk Phuensum Tshogpa’s reign in the constituency-once touted as their …

By Tashi Namgyal/Thimphu Emotions have stirred in the Nyamrup camp as the news of a newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) being selected as the Labour Minister jolted ruling party MPs as well as electorates. Serving Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa (DNT) MPs and party supporters have lambasted the decision of the Prime Minister (PM) in ignoring seasoned aspirants to fill the …